诛

誅

zhū

朱 + 讠

Definitions

zhū to put (a criminal) to death; to punish

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 朱 represents the sound. Simplified form of 誅.

Semantic: 讠 Phonetic: 朱

About

The character 诛 (zhū) is a phono-semantic compound that functions as a severe verb, primarily meaning to execute or condemn for a major crime. It derives from the traditional form 誅. The semantic component is the speech radical 言 (yán), appearing as 讠 in its simplified form, which originally indicated the meaning related to verbal condemnation or the official pronouncement of a judgment. The phonetic component is 朱 (zhū), meaning red or vermilion. Over time, its meaning broadened from the act of denunciation to encompass the physical execution of punishment, including killing a criminal, suppressing a rebellion, or entirely exterminating a guilty party.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个暴君最终被人民诛杀。

Zhège bàojūn zuìzhōng bèi rénmín zhū shā.

This tyrant was ultimately executed by the people.

他的罪行严重，理应被诛。

Tā de zuìxíng yánzhòng, lǐ yīng bèi zhū.

His crimes are severe, and he deserves to be put to death.

历史上有许多诛杀功臣的故事。

Lìshǐ shàng yǒu xǔduō zhū shā gōngchén de gùshi.

There are many stories in history about executing meritorious officials.

小说里描写了诛灭叛军的激烈战役。

Xiǎoshuō lǐ miáoxiě le zhū miè pànjūn de jīliè zhànyì.

The novel depicts the fierce battle to exterminate the rebel army.

这种背叛行为足以招致众人的口诛笔伐。

Zhè zhǒng bèipàn xíngwéi zúyǐ zhāozhì zhòngrén de kǒu zhū bǐ fá.

This kind of treacherous behavior is enough to incur public condemnation and criticism.

在法律尚不健全的时代，株连九族的诛罚非常残酷。

Zài fǎlǜ shàng bù jiànquán de shídài, zhūliánjiǔzú de zhū fá fēicháng cánkù.

In eras when the legal system was not yet sound, punishments that executed nine kinship groups were extremely cruel.

他的理论漏洞百出，在学术会议上被同行们诛心致理地驳斥了。

Tā de lǐlùn lòudòng bǎichū, zài xuéshù huìyì shàng bèi tónghángmen zhū xīn zhì lǐ de bóchì le.

His theory was full of holes and was rebutted thoroughly and logically by his peers at the academic conference.

企图用模糊的统计数据来诛除异己，是一种极其卑劣的政治手段。

Qǐtú yòng móhú de tǒngjì shùjù lái zhū chú yìjǐ, shì yī zhǒng jíqí bēiliè de zhèngzhì shǒuduàn.

Attempting to use vague statistical data to eliminate dissidents is an extremely despicable political tactic.

Related Characters

Component: 朱

Component: 讠

诛